Insights on Telecommunication Use by Rehabilitation Therapists Before, During, and Beyond COVID-19.
Michael J Sobrepera, Julie Elfishawy, Anh T Nguyen and 2 others
PMID 39006120WHAT IT FOUND
Therapists significantly increased phone, text, and video use during the pandemic, but planned future video use did not rise significantly.
They believe discussion-based tasks work remotely, while orthotics and manual assessments require in-person care.
Key findings
01Use of phone calls, video calls to patients at home, text-based communication, and video calls to clinical settings all increased significantly during the pandemic.
02There was no significant increase in therapists' planned use of video-based telehealth after the pandemic compared to before it.
03Therapists reported orthotics assessment/prescription as the activity least suitable for remote delivery, while strength building and discussion-based activities were seen as more feasible.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample was a convenience sample distributed through professional associations and social media, which may overrepresent therapists comfortable with technology. Data was collected early in the pandemic (June 2020-January 2021), so it reflects immediate reactions rather than long-term adaptation. The study relies on self-reported usage and perceptions, not objective clinical outcomes or patient feedback. Future usage plans were assessed with a conservative approach that grouped 'unsure' responses with 'no plans', potentially underestimating interest in telehealth.
Declared interests
No specific funding sources or conflicts of interest were declared in the provided text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that the significant increase in telehealth use during the pandemic indicates a permanent shift to video-based care. The study found that planned future use of video did not increase significantly compared to pre-pandemic levels, and many therapists remain unsure about continuing it.